Ayurvedic Spring Detox

by Leena Athparia, ND

Have you ever noticed that thick white coating on your tongue when you wake up?

According to Ayurveda, that coating is one of the many symptoms considered as ama – internal toxins. Ama results from undigested and unabsorbed food that accumulates in the digestive tract, turning into a sticky substance with unpleasant odour. It is waste material that is neither excreted nor used by the body. Small amounts of ama are normal in the digestive tract – it becomes a concern when ama is not eliminated efficiently, building up in the system and spreading deeper into the tissues.

There is a lot of hype about detox these days. How often to do you hear your friends talking about doing a detox or detoxing to lose weight? How often do you see ads of products for “liver detox”? In spring, (or after holidays of indulgent eating) many people go to the health food store to pick up “detox kits”. Though these kits contain herbs & products that may contain herbs that detoxify the liver and other organs, you want to make sure you are doing the right kind of detox that you need. A liver detox in someone who has constipation will not be as effective as the toxins are not being eliminated properly. A detox with laxatives could aggravate you if you have a sensitive digestive tract. If you are on medications, liver detoxification using herbs could impact the dose and effectiveness therefore, a detox with food or saunas may be advised.

When ama accumulates in the body over time, it can become a breeding ground for colds, flu, chronic diseases and cancer. It is important to clear out am on a regular basis to maintain health. There are many methods to support detoxification and clearing of am. Which method depends on your constitution and requires assessment and customized treatment by your ayurvedic practitioner or naturopathic doctor.

Tomorrow morning, as soon as you wake up, stick out your tongue in the mirror and observe. Notice if there is a coating at the back of the tongue – it may be grey, white or yellowish. If you have that coating regularly, then you have am in your system, and it might be a time for a detox this spring!